Combination medical device

ABSTRACT

A combination medical includes a first arm and a second arm interconnected to the first arm. The first arm and the second arm are biased towards each other by a closing force. A biasing member is disposed between the first arm and the second arm. The biasing member has a first position that biases the first arm and the second arm away from each other against the closing force and a second position that does not oppose the closing force. The combination medical device may be an electrosurgical device with a mono-polar and bi-polar configuration.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/593,546, filed on Jan. 9, 2015. The disclosure of the aboveapplication is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to a combination medical devicehaving multiple modes of operation, and more specifically to acombination electrosurgical forceps or tweezers having a firstconfiguration with a constant closure force and a second configurationhaving a variable, manual closure force.

BACKGROUND

The statements in this section merely provide background informationrelated to the present disclosure and may or may not constitute priorart.

A typical electrosurgery device utilizes a therapy current to treat apatient, either in a mono-polar configuration or a bi-polarconfiguration. The therapy current is used to cut, perform hemostasison, coagulate, desiccate, fulgurate, or electro cauterize the tissue ofa patient during surgery. The device itself may have variousconfigurations and may be combined with a tweezers or forcepsarrangement to grip or grasp the tissue. For example, such anelectrosurgical device generally includes a pair of substantially rigidarms that each terminate in grips or jaws. Opposite the jaws, the pairof arms are attached together, either directly or through a hinge, toform a fulcrum on which the pair of arms pivot. Typically, the arms arebiased away from each other into an open position. Compression of thearms forces the jaws to come together to grip the tissue. The device maylock onto or latch onto the tissue without the user having to applyfinger pressure. The therapy current, supplied from a power source suchas a generator or wall plug, is directed through one (mono-polarconfiguration) or both (bi-polar configuration) of the arms. An exampleof a combination electrosurgical device is disclosed in commonlyassigned U.S. Publication No. 2014/0276795 filed on Mar. 12, 2014,herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The known cross section of users of electrosurgery devices range fromexpert users, who use these devices daily and specialize in a fewprocedures, to general users who use these devices sporadically and arenot considered expert in their use. Thus, for a general user, it isdesirable to reduce the skill requirements of a particular procedure inorder to allow the general user to concentrate on more complex surgeryand on the pathology as it is presented. Furthermore, it is generallydesirable for all users to have consistent device performance to helpreduce the readmissions into surgery. Therefore, there is a need in theart to provide a combination electrosurgical medical device that assistssurgeons by providing a consistent compressive force (a force that canbe validated by the manufacture) to seal vessels consistently ofspecific sizes, while also providing various modes of operation.

SUMMARY

A combination medical device according to the principles of the presentinvention is provided. The device includes a first arm and a second arminterconnected to the first arm. The arms may terminate in teeth or anyother surface suitable for gripping. The first arm and the second armare biased towards each other by a closing force. A biasing member isdisposed between the first arm and the second arm. The biasing memberhas a first position that biases the first arm and the second arm awayfrom each other against the closing force and a second position thatdoes not oppose the closing force.

In one aspect, the biasing member includes a first connector pivotallyconnected to the first arm and a second connector pivotally connected tothe second arm, and the first connector is pivotally connected to thesecond connector.

In another aspect, the first connector has a first surface, the secondconnector has a second surface, and the first surface contacts thesecond surface when the biasing member is in the first position.

In another aspect, the first arm has a first distal end and a firstproximate end, the second arm has a second distal end and a secondproximate end, and the first proximate end is interconnected to thesecond proximate end to bias the first distal end and the second distalend towards one another.

In another aspect, the first connector is connected to the secondconnector at a pivot point.

In another aspect, the pivot point remains on a plane defined by thefirst arm and the second arm when the biasing member is in the firstposition and the second position.

In another aspect, the pivot point is closer to the first and secondproximate ends when in the first position than when in the secondposition.

In another aspect, the pivot point is closer to the first and seconddistal ends when in the first position than when in the second position.

In another aspect, a blade is connected at the pivot point, wherein theblade is extended past the first and second distal ends when the biasingmember is in the second position and wherein the blade does is notextended past the first and second distal ends when the biasing memberis in the first position.

In another aspect, the device is connectable to a power source and thedevice includes a first operating condition that communicates a firstelectrical current through either the first arm, the second arm, orboth, and a second operating condition that communicates a secondelectrical current through the blade.

In another aspect, the pivot point is not on a plane defined by thefirst arm and the second arm when the biasing member is in at least oneof the first position and the second position.

In another aspect, at least one of the first arm, the second arm, thefirst connector, and the second connector are resilient.

In another aspect, the first arm and the second arm are resilient andthe first connector and the second connector are rigid.

In another aspect, the first arm and the second arm are rigid and thefirst connector and the second connector are resilient.

In another aspect, the first arm, the second arm, the first connectorand the second connector are all resilient.

Further features, aspects, and areas of applicability will becomeapparent from the description provided herein. It should be understoodthat the description and specific examples are intended for purposes ofillustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the presentdisclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and arenot intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a combination medical device in afirst mode of operation according to the principles of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the combination medical device ina second mode of operation according to the principles of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the combination medical device;

FIG. 4A is a cross-section, schematic view of the combination medicaldevice in the first mode of operation;

FIG. 4B is a cross-section, schematic view of the combination medicaldevice in the first mode of operation under a manual load;

FIG. 4C is a cross-section, schematic view of the combination medicaldevice in the second mode of operation;

FIG. 5A is a cross-section, schematic view of another embodiment of thecombination medical device in a first mode of operation;

FIG. 5B is a cross-section, schematic view of the combination medicaldevice in the first mode of operation under a manual load;

FIG. 5C is a cross-section, schematic view of the combination medicaldevice in a second mode of operation;

FIG. 6A is a cross-section, schematic view of another embodiment of thecombination medical device in a first mode of operation;

FIG. 6B is a cross-section, schematic view of the combination medicaldevice in the first mode of operation under a manual load;

FIG. 6C is a cross-section, schematic view of the combination medicaldevice in a second mode of operation;

FIG. 7A is a cross-section, schematic view of another embodiment of thecombination medical device in a first mode of operation;

FIG. 7B is a cross-section, schematic view of the combination medicaldevice in the first mode of operation under a manual load;

FIG. 7C is a cross-section, schematic view of the combination medicaldevice in a second mode of operation;

FIG. 8A is a cross-section, schematic view of another embodiment of thecombination medical device in a first mode of operation;

FIG. 8B is a cross-section, schematic view of the combination medicaldevice in the first mode of operation under a manual load;

FIG. 8C is a cross-section, schematic view of the combination medicaldevice in a second mode of operation;

FIG. 9A is a cross-section, schematic view of another embodiment of thecombination medical device in a first mode of operation;

FIG. 9B is a cross-section, schematic view of the combination medicaldevice in the first mode of operation under a manual load;

FIG. 9C is a cross-section, schematic view of the combination medicaldevice in a second mode of operation;

FIG. 10A is a cross-section, schematic view of another embodiment of thecombination medical device in a first mode of operation;

FIG. 10B is a cross-section, schematic view of the combination medicaldevice in the first mode of operation under a manual load;

FIG. 10C is a cross-section, schematic view of the combination medicaldevice in a second mode of operation;

FIG. 11A is a cross-section view of the combination medical deviceviewed in the direction of arrows 11A-11A shown in FIG. 10A; and

FIG. 11B is a cross-section view of the combination medical deviceviewed in the direction of arrows 11B-11B shown in FIG. 10C.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is notintended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses.

With reference to FIGS. 1-3, a combination medical device or forcepsaccording to the principles of the present invention is illustrated andgenerally indicated by reference number 10. The combination medicaldevice 10 is a surgical tool that may be used in open surgery on apatient. The combination medical device 10 may be used as anelectrosurgical tool or as a gripping tool, or both. As anelectrosurgical tool, the combination medical device 10 provides amono-polar or bi-polar therapy current through a tissue and may be usedto cut, perform hemostasis on, coagulate, desiccate, fulgurate, electrocauterize, or combinations thereof, tissue of a patient. As a grippingtool the combination medical device 10 is used as forceps or tweezers togrip or retract an object, a vein, an organ, skin, tissue and the like,or combinations thereof. As will be described in greater detail below,the combination medical device 10 also has a first configuration thatprovides a consistent, constant closure force to grip and a secondconfiguration that provides a consistent, constant opening force thatopposes the closure force. The opening force may be overcome by a userof the combination medical device 10 to manually close the combinationmedical device 10.

The combination medical device 10 generally includes an inner housing12, an outer housing 14, a first working arm 16, a second working arm18, and a blade 20. In one example, the blade 20 is a blade electrodeused for applying a therapy current to tissue. In another example, theblade 20 is a scalpel used to cut tissue. In alternate embodiments, theblade 20 may be omitted from the combination medical device 10. Theinner housing 12 supports a switch 22 that is axially moveable between afirst position, shown in FIG. 1, and a second position, shown in FIG. 2.The switch 22 is operatively interconnected with the blade electrode 20through a biasing mechanism or member 24, shown in various embodimentsin FIGS. 4A-9C, as will be described in greater detail below. When theswitch 22 is in the first position, the blade 20 does not extend axiallypast distal ends 16A, 18A of the working arms 16 and 18, respectively.When the switch 22 is in the second position, the blade 20 extendsaxially past the distal ends 16A, 18A of the working arms 16, 18 and isgripped by the working arms 16, 18.

A first or bi-polar button 26 is mounted to the inner housing 12 and isexposed when the switch 22 is in the first position. The bi-polar button26 is covered by the switch 22 when the switch 22 is in the secondposition. The bi-polar button 26 is connected to control hardware 28,shown schematically in FIG. 3. The control hardware 28 is connected toor in electrical communication with a power connector 30 and to thefirst working arm 16, the second working arm 18, and the blade electrode20. The power connector 30 is mounted to the inner housing 12 and isconnectable to an electrical power source (not shown). The controlhardware 28 generally includes circuit boards, control logic, sensors,wires or other power connection mechanisms sufficient to selectivelytransmit a therapy current from the power source, via the powerconnector 30, to the first arm 16, the second arm 18, the bladeelectrode 20, and various combinations thereof. For example, when thebi-polar button 26 is depressed by a user of the combination medicaldevice 10, a first therapy current is transmitted from the powerconnector 30 to the first working arm 16 and the second working arm 18.Thus, any object disposed between the first working arm 16 and thesecond working 18 is subjected to this therapy current.

A second or mono-polar button 32 is mounted to the inner housing 12 andis exposed when the switch 22 is in the second position. The mono-polarbutton 32 is covered by the switch 22 when the switch 22 is in thesecond position. The mono-polar button 32 is connected to the controlhardware 28. When the mono-polar button 32 is depressed by a user of thecombination medical device 10, a second therapy current is transmittedfrom the power connector 28 to the blade electrode 20. Thus, any objectdisposed proximate to or in contact with the blade electrode 20 issubjected to this therapy current. An example of the connections betweenthe switch 22, the buttons 26 and 32, the control hardware 28, and theworking arms 16, 18 and blade electrode 20 are disclosed in commonlyassigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/205,598 filed on Mar. 12,2014, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The outer housing 14 at least partially surrounds the inner housing 12and is at least partially bifurcated into two halves including a firsthalf 14A and a second half 14B. The first half 14A is hinged orpivotally connected to the second half 14B. The first half 14A supportsand at least partially surrounds the first arm 16. The first half 14A ofthe housing 14 provides a grasping surface 36 for a user of thecombination medical device 10 and insulates a user from any therapycurrent supplied to the first arm 16. The second half 14B supports andat least partially surrounds the second arm 18. The second half 14B ofthe housing 14 provides a grasping surface 38 for a user of thecombination medical device 10 and insulates a user from any therapycurrent supplied to the second arm 18. The first half 14A and the secondhalf 14B, as well as the working arms 16, 18, are moveable between anopen position, shown in FIG. 1, and a closed position, shown in FIG. 2.

With reference to FIGS. 4A-C, the first working arm 16 is an elongatedmember having a proximate end 16B opposite the distal end 16A. Thedistal end 16A includes a gripping surface 40 that may be smooth,ridged, lined, ribbed, toothed, serrated, etc. The second working arm 18is an elongated member having a proximate end 18B opposite the distalend 18A. The distal end 18A includes a gripping surface 42 that may besmooth, ridged, lined, ribbed, toothed, serrated, etc. The grippingsurface 42 of the second working arm 18 is disposed opposite thegripping surface 40 of the first working arm 16. The proximate end 16Bof the first working arm 16 is interconnected to the proximate end 18Bof the second working arm 18. The first working arm 16 and the secondworking arm 18 are biased towards one another by a closing force Fc. Theclosing force Fc is sufficient to grip and hold tissue. The working arms16, 18 may be either resilient or rigid. Generally speaking, a resilientmember is flexible and deforms upon application of a force or load. Theresilient member then returns to its original shape when the force orload is removed. In contrast, a force or load sufficient to bend aresilient member will not bend, deform, or flex a rigid member. In apreferred embodiment, a rigid member does not deflect or deform undernormal operating loads. The working arms 16, 18 may be made of anymaterial that is safe for use in a surgical procedure. For example, theworking arms 16, 18 may include metals, plastics, a polymer, anelastomer, gold, silver, copper, titanium, aluminum, iron based metals,stainless steel, and have coatings of polytetrafluoroethylene,insulating polymers, rubber, silicone or a combination thereof.

The blade electrode 20 is interconnected to the switch 22 through thebiasing mechanism 24. The blade electrode 20 is an elongated memberhaving, in one embodiment, a distal end 20A and a base 20B. The distalend 20A may be used to apply a current to tissue during surgery.Alternatively, the distal end 20A may be a scalpel or have a cuttingedge that may be used to cut tissue during surgery. The base 20B isconnected to the biasing mechanism 24.

The biasing mechanism 24 is disposed between the first working arm 16and the second working arm 18. The biasing mechanism 24 includes a firstconnector 50, a second connector 52, and a shuttle 54. The firstconnector 50 and the second connector 52 may be either resilient orrigid. At least one of the first connector 50, the second connector 52,the first working arm 16, and the second working arm 18 is resilient.For example, in one embodiment, both the first connector 50 and thesecond connector 52 are resilient while the first working arm 50 and thesecond working arm 52 are rigid. In yet another embodiment, both thefirst connector 50 and the second connector 52 are rigid while the firstworking arm 50 and the second working arm 52 are resilient. In yetanother embodiment, the first connector 50, the second connector 52, thefirst working arm 16, and the second working arm 18 are all resilient.

The first connector 50 includes a first end 50A and a second end 50Bdisposed opposite the first end 50A. The first connector 50 may bestraight between the first and second ends 50A, 50B, or the firstconnector 50 may be curved between the first and second ends 50A, 50Bhaving a concave side 50C proximate the distal end 16A of the first arm16 and a convex side 50D adjacent the proximate end 16B of the first arm16. The first end 50A is pivotally connected to the first arm 16 at apivot point 56. In the example provided, the pivot point 56 is a pinconnection that allows the first connector 50 to rotate with respect tothe first arm 16. The second end 50B includes a first stop surface 50Eand a pivot point 58.

The second connector 52 includes a first end 52A and a second end 52Bdisposed opposite the first end 52A. The second connector 52 may bestraight between the first and second ends 52A, 52B or the secondconnector 52 may be curved between the first and second ends 52A, 52Bhaving a concave side 52C proximate the distal end 18A of the second arm18 and a convex side 52D adjacent the proximate end 18B of the secondarm 18. The first end 52A is pivotally connected to the second arm 18 ata pivot point 60. In the example provided, the pivot point 60 is a pinconnection that allows the second connector 52 to rotate with respect tothe second arm 18. The second end 52B includes a second stop surface52E. The second end 52B of the second connector 52 is pivotallyconnected to the second end 50B of the first connector 50 at the pivotpoint 58. Both the first connector 50 and the second connector 52 arepivotally connected to the shuttle 54 at the pivot point 58. The shuttle54 is interconnected to the switch 22 (FIGS. 1-3).

The biasing mechanism 24 is moveable by the switch 22 to a firstposition, shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, and a second position, shown in FIG.4C. In the first position, the shuttle 54 is moved (to the left in FIG.4A) towards the proximate ends 16B, 18B. In this position, the stopsurfaces 50E and 52E contact each other and the first and secondconnectors 50, 52 bias the first working arm 16 and the second workingarm 18 away from each other to the open position with an opening forceF_(o). The opening force F_(o) is greater than the closing force Fc ofthe first and second working arms 16, 18.

In the first position, the combination medical device 10 may act astweezers or forceps and be manually closed by applying a manual force Fmto the first and second working arms 16, 18 to grab tissue 62 or anyother object, as illustrated in FIG. 4B. The closing force Fc and themanual force Fm overcome the opening force Fo to close the first andsecond working arms 16, 18 by either flexing the first and secondconnectors 50, 52, flexing the first and second working arms 16, 18, orany combination thereof. The stop surfaces 50E, 52E prevent the shuttle54 from moving further to the left under compressive forces. Thelocation of the pivot point 58 in turn limits the free movement of theshuttle 54 to the right. For example, the pivot point 58 is locatedfurther proximal than an imaginary line connecting the pivot points 56and 60. As the pivot point 58 moves past the imaginary line connectingthe pivot points 56 and 60, the arms 16 and 18 are spread further apartwhich is opposed by the closing force Fc and therefore the shuttle 54 isprevented from moving freely to the right.

In the second position, the shuttle 54 is moved (to the right in FIG.4C) towards the distal ends 16A, 18A by the switch 22. In this position,the stop surfaces 50E and 52E do not contact each other and the firstand second connectors 50, 52 do not exert a force on the first workingarm 16 and the second working arm 18 opposite the closing force Fc.Therefore, the blade electrode 20 is extended out past the working arms16, 18 and the working arms 16, 18 close on the blade electrode 20, asshown in FIG. 4C.

With reference to FIGS. 5A-C, the combination medical device 10 isschematically illustrated with the blade electrode 20 omitted. In thisconfiguration, the biasing member 24 may be flipped to reverse the firstand second positions. For example, the biasing mechanism 24 is moveableby the switch 22 to a first position, shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, and asecond position, shown in FIG. 5C. In the first position, the shuttle 54is moved (to the right in FIG. 5A) towards the distal ends 16A, 18A. Inthe first position, the combination medical device 10 may act astweezers or forceps and be manually closed by applying a manual forceF_(m) to the first and second working arms 16, 18 to grab tissue 62 orany other object, as illustrated in FIG. 4B. The closing force F_(c) andthe manual force F_(m) overcome the opening force F_(o) to close thefirst and second working arms 16, 18 by either flexing the first andsecond connectors 50, 52, flexing the first and second working arms 16,18, or any combination thereof. In the second position, the shuttle 54is moved (to the left in FIG. 5C) towards the proximate ends 16B, 18B bythe switch 22. In this position, the stop surfaces 50E and 52E do notcontact each other and the first and second connectors 50, 52 do notexert a force on the first working arm 16 and the second working arm 18opposite the closing force Fc. Therefore, the working arms 16, 18 closeon the tissue 62 with the constant, consistent closing force F_(c), asshown in FIG. 5C.

Turning now to FIGS. 6A-C, an alternate embodiment of a biasingmechanism is generally indicated by reference number 124. The biasingmechanism 124 is disposed between the first working arm 16 and thesecond working arm 18. The biasing mechanism 124 includes a firstconnector 150, a second connector 152, and a shuttle 154. The firstconnector 150 includes a first end 150A and a second end 150B disposedopposite the first end 150A. The first connector 150 is curved betweenthe first and second ends 150A, 150B having a concave side 150Cproximate the distal end 16A of the first arm 16 and a convex side 150Dadjacent the proximate end 16B of the first arm 16. The first end 150Ais pivotally connected to the first arm 16 at a pivot point 156. In theexample provided, the pivot point 156 is a pin connection that allowsthe first connector 150 to rotate with respect to the first arm 16. Thesecond end 150B includes a first stop surface 150E and is pivotallyconnected to the shuttle 154 at a pivot point 158. In the exampleprovided, the pivot point 158 is a pin connection that allows the firstconnector 150 to rotate with respect to the shuttle 154.

The second connector 152 includes a first end 152A and a second end 152Bdisposed opposite the first end 152A. The second connector 152 is curvedbetween the first and second ends 152A, 152B having a concave side 152Cproximate the distal end 18A of the second arm 18 and a convex side 152Dadjacent the proximate end 18B of the second arm 18. The first end 152Ais pivotally connected to the second arm 18 at a pivot point 160. In theexample provided, the pivot point 160 is a pin connection that allowsthe second connector 152 to rotate with respect to the second arm 18.The second end 152B includes a second stop surface 152E. The second end152B of the second connector 152 is pivotally connected to the shuttle154 at the pivot point 161. In the example provided, the pivot point 161is a pin connection that allows the second connector 152 to rotate withrespect to the shuttle 154. The shuttle 154 is interconnected to theswitch 22 (FIGS. 1-3). The pivot points 158, 161 are proximal to animaginary line that connects pivot points 156 and 160. The biasingmechanism 124 operates in a manner substantially similar to the biasingmechanism 24 and is moveable between a first position, illustrated inFIGS. 5A and 5B, and a second position, illustrated in FIG. 5C.

With reference to FIGS. 7A-C, the combination medical device 10 havingthe biasing member 124 is schematically illustrated with the bladeelectrode 20 omitted. The biasing mechanism 124 is moveable by theswitch 22 to the first position, shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, and thesecond position, shown in FIG. 7C. In the first position, the shuttle154 is moved (to the left in FIG. 7A) towards the proximate ends 16B,18B. In the first position, the combination medical device 10 may act astweezers or forceps and be manually closed by applying a manual force Fmto the first and second working arms 16, 18 to grab tissue 62 or anyother object, as illustrated in FIG. 7B. The closing force Fc and themanual force Fm overcome the opening force Fo to close the first andsecond working arms 16, 18 by either flexing the first and secondconnectors 150, 152, flexing the first and second working arms 16, 18,or any combination thereof. In the second position, the shuttle 154 ismoved (to the right in FIG. 7C) towards the distal ends 16A, 18A by theswitch 22. In this position, the stop surfaces 150E and 152E do notcontact each other and the first and second connectors 150, 152 do notexert a force on the first working arm 16 and the second working arm 18opposite the closing force Fc. Therefore, the working arms 16, 18 closeon the tissue 62 with the constant, consistent closing force Fc, asshown in FIG. 7C. The combination medical device 10 may thus act asnormal tweezers where the gripping force is determined by the user, oras a mechanical latch where the gripping force is determined by theproperties of the device 10.

Turning now to FIGS. 8A-C, an alternate embodiment of a biasingmechanism is generally indicated by reference number 224. The biasingmechanism 224 is disposed between the first working arm 16 and thesecond working arm 18. The biasing mechanism 224 includes a firstconnector 250, a second connector 252, and a shuttle 254. The firstconnector 250 includes a first end 250A and a second end 250B disposedopposite the first end 250A. The first connector 250 is curved betweenthe first and second ends 250A, 250B having a concave side 250Cproximate the distal end 16A of the first arm 16 and a convex side 250Dadjacent the proximate end 16B of the first arm 16. The first end 250Ais pivotally connected to the first arm 16 at a pivot point 256. In theexample provided, the pivot point 256 is a hinge that allows the firstconnector 250 to pivot with respect to the first arm 16. The pivot point256 has a narrow cross section which bows or flexes during the pivot.The pivot point 256 may be made integrally with the first working arm 16or be welded, adhered, or otherwise connected to the first working arm16. The second end 250B includes a first stop surface 250E and ispivotally connected to the shuttle 254 and the second connector 252 at apivot point 258. The pivot point 258 has a narrow cross section whichbows or flexes during the pivot. The pivot point 258 is preferablyintegrally formed with the second connector 252 and may be madeintegrally with the shuttle 254 or be welded, adhered, or otherwiseconnected to the shuttle 254.

The second connector 252 includes a first end 252A and a second end 252Bdisposed opposite the first end 252A. The second connector 252 is curvedbetween the first and second ends 252A, 252B having a concave side 252Cproximate the distal end 18A of the second arm 18 and a convex side 252Dadjacent the proximate end 18B of the second arm 18. The first end 252Ais pivotally connected to the second arm 18 at a pivot point 260. In theexample provided, the pivot point 260 is a hinge that allows the secondconnector 252 to pivot with respect to the second arm 18. The pivotpoint 260 has a narrow cross section which bows or flexes during thepivot. The pivot point 260 may be made integrally with the secondworking arm 18 or be welded, adhered, or otherwise connected to thesecond working arm 18. The second end 252B includes a second stopsurface 252E. The second end 252B of the second connector 252 ispivotally connected to the shuttle 254 at the pivot point 258. Theshuttle 154 is interconnected to the switch 22 (FIGS. 1-3). The biasingmechanism 224 operates in a manner substantially similar to the biasingmechanism 24 and is moveable between a first position, illustrated inFIGS. 8A and 8B, and a second position, illustrated in FIG. 8C.

With reference to FIGS. 9A-C, the combination medical device 10 havingthe biasing member 224 is schematically illustrated with the bladeelectrode 20 omitted. The biasing mechanism 224 is moveable by theswitch 22 to the first position, shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, and thesecond position, shown in FIG. 9C. In the first position, the shuttle254 is moved (to the left in FIG. 9A) towards the proximate ends 16B,18B. In the first position, the combination medical device 10 may act astweezers or forceps and be manually closed by applying a manual forceF_(m) to the first and second working arms 16, 18 to grab tissue 62 orany other object, as illustrated in FIG. 9B. The closing force F_(c) andthe manual force F_(m) overcome the opening force F_(o) to close thefirst and second working arms 16, 18 by either flexing the first andsecond connectors 250, 252, flexing the first and second working arms16, 18, or any combination thereof. In the second position, the shuttle254 is moved (to the right in FIG. 9C) towards the distal ends 16A, 18Aby the switch 22. In this position, the stop surfaces 250E and 252E donot contact each other and the first and second connectors 250, 252 donot exert a force on the first working arm 16 and the second working arm18 opposite the closing force F_(c). Therefore, the working arms 16, 18close on the tissue 62 with the constant, consistent closing forceF_(c), as shown in FIG. 9C.

Turning to FIGS. 10A-C, an alternate arrangement of the combinationmedical device 10 is schematically illustrated with the blade electrode20 omitted and the biasing member 24 rotated to actuate outside of theplane of the first and second working arms 16, 18. For example, theshuttle 54 may be interconnected to a switch or button (not shown)located on a side of the outer housing 14 such that the shuttle 54 isactuated not on a plane defined by the first working arm 16 and thesecond working arm 18. For example, the shuttle 54 is actuatedperpendicular to the plane defined by the first working arm 16 and thesecond working arm 18. For example, the shuttle 54 is actuatedperpendicular to the plane defined by the first working arm 16 and thesecond working arm 18. The biasing mechanism 24 is moveable by thebutton to a first position, shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, and a secondposition, shown in FIG. 10C. In the first position, the biasing member24 is in the plane defined by the first and second working arms 16 18,as shown in FIG. 11A. In the first position, the combination medicaldevice 10 may act as tweezers or forceps and be manually closed byapplying a manual force Fm to the first and second working arms 16, 18to grab tissue 62 or any other object, as illustrated in FIG. 10B. Theclosing force Fc and the manual force Fm overcome the opening force Foto close the first and second working arms 16, 18 by either flexing thefirst and second connectors 50, 52, flexing the first and second workingarms 16, 18, or any combination thereof. In the second position, thebiasing member 24 is moved out of the plane defined by the first andsecond working arms 16, 18 as shown in FIG. 11B. In this position, thestop surfaces 50E and 52E do not contact each other and the first andsecond connectors 50, 52 do not exert a force on the first working arm16 and the second working arm 18 opposite the closing force Fc.Therefore, the working arms 16, 18 close on the tissue 62 with theconstant, consistent closing force Fc, as shown in FIG. 10C. It shouldbe appreciated that the biasing mechanisms 124, 224 may also beconfigured in a manner similar to that shown in FIGS. 10A-10C withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention.

The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature andvariations that do not depart from the gist of the invention areintended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations arenot to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device comprising: a first arm having a firstdistal end and a first proximate end; a second arm having a seconddistal end and a second proximate end, the second arm interconnected tothe first arm, wherein the first arm and the second arm are biasedtowards each other by a closing force; a shuttle; a biasing memberdisposed between the first arm and the second arm, the biasing memberhaving a first position that provides an opening force that biases thefirst arm and the second arm away from each other against the closingforce, and having a second position that does not oppose the closingforce, the biasing member having a first connector pivotally connectedto the first arm and a second connector pivotally connected to thesecond arm, and the first connector and the second connector arepivotally connected to the shuttle at a pivot point, the first connectorhaving a first surface and the second connector having a second surface,and the first surface contacts the second surface when the biasingmember is in the first position.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein thepivot point remains on a plane defined by the first arm and the secondarm when the biasing member is in the first position and the secondposition and the shuttle is closer to the first and second proximateends when in the first position than when in the second position.
 3. Thedevice of claim 1 wherein the pivot point remains on a plane defined bythe first arm and the second arm when the biasing member is in the firstposition and the second position and the shuttle is closer to the firstand second distal ends when in the first position than when in thesecond position.
 4. The device of claim 1 further comprising a bladeconnected to the shuttle, the blade is extended past the first andsecond distal ends when the biasing member is in the second position andthe blade does not extend past the first and second distal ends when thebiasing member is in the first position.
 5. The device of claim 4wherein the blade is closer to the first and second proximate ends whenin the first position than when in the second position.
 6. The device ofclaim 5 wherein when the biasing member is in the first position, theblade is positioned between the first and second proximate ends and thefirst and second distal ends, and when the biasing member is in thesecond position, the blade is positioned past the first and seconddistal ends.
 7. The device of claim 1 wherein the shuttle is not on aplane defined by the first arm and the second arm when the biasingmember is in at least one of the first position and the second position.8. The device of claim 1 wherein the first arm and the second arm areresilient and the first connector and the second connector are rigid. 9.The device of claim 1 wherein the first arm and the second arm are rigidand the first connector and the second connector are resilient.
 10. Thedevice of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first arm, the second arm,the first connector, and the second connector are resilient.
 11. Aforceps comprising: a first arm; a second arm interconnected to thefirst arm, wherein the first arm and the second arm have an openposition and a closed position, and a closing force biases the first andsecond arms to the closed position; a first connector pivotallyconnected to the first arm; and a second connector pivotally connectedto the second arm and pivotally connected to the first connector and toa shuttle at a center pivot point, the shuttle being moveable between afirst position and a second position, and the first connector and thesecond connector exerting a first opening force on the first arm and thesecond arm when the shuttle is in the first position, the first openingforce being greater than the closing force when the shuttle is in thefirst position, and the first connector and the second connectorexerting a second opening force on the first arm and the second arm whenthe shuttle is in the second position, the second opening force beingless than the closing force when the shuttle is in the second position.12. The forceps of claim 11 wherein the first connector is pivotallyconnected to the first arm by a pin connection.
 13. The forceps of claim11 wherein the first connector is pivotally connected to the first armat a reduced cross-sectional area of the first connector.
 14. Theforceps of claim 11 wherein the first connector and the second connectorare pivotally connected to each other at the center pivot point by a pinconnection.
 15. The forceps of claim 11 wherein the first connectorincludes a first surface proximate the center pivot point and the secondconnector includes a second surface proximate the center pivot point,and the first surface contacts the second surface when the center pivotpoint is in the first position.
 16. The forceps of claim 11 wherein theshuttle is connected to the center pivot point and configured to movethe center pivot point between the first position and the secondposition, and the first connector and the second connector are eachpivotally connected to the shuttle by pin connections.
 17. The forcepsof claim 11 wherein the first connector and the second connector arepivotally connected to each other by reduced cross-sectional portions atthe center pivot point.
 18. A surgical tool comprising: a first arm; asecond arm interconnected to the first arm, wherein the first arm andthe second arm have an open position and a closed position; a firstconnector having a first proximate end connected to the first arm andhaving a first distal end and a first stop surface at the first distalend, the first connector has a concave surface and a convex surfaceextended between the first distal end and the first proximate end; and asecond connector having a second proximate end connected to the secondarm, having a second distal end connected to the first distal end of thefirst connector, and having a second stop surface at the second distalend, the second connector has a concave surface and a convex surfaceextended between the second distal end and the second proximate end, thefirst distal end and the second distal end are connected to a shuttle,the first stop surface contacts the second stop surface and the firstand second arms are in the open position when the first member and thesecond member are in a first position, and the first stop surface doesnot contact the second stop surface and the first and second arms are inthe closed position when the first member and the second member are in asecond position.
 19. The surgical tool of claim 18 wherein the firstdistal end is pivotally connected to the second distal end, and whereinthe first distal end and the second distal end are pivotally connectedto the shuttle.
 20. The surgical tool of claim 18 further comprising ablade having a first end and a second end, the first end of the blade isconnected to the shuttle and the second end of the blade is between thefirst arm and the second arm when the first member and the second memberare in the first position, and the second end of the blade is extendedpast the first arm and the second arm when the first member and thesecond member are in the second position.